Professor Janice Limson, Director of the Biotechnology Innovation Centre at Rhodes UniversityRhodes University
Longer-lasting and more cost-effective ways of testing for pregnancy and whether HIV treatments are working effectively, as well as checking for the top two strains of malaria, are being tested by scientists at a South African university. These could ultimately help save lives in emerging countries, they believe.
Testing for malaria and the efficacy of a HIV treatment have traditionally been very difficult to do in Africa without a blood test – which are expensive and require a trained nurse and a trip to an often distant clinic.
But scientists in South Africa are testing a way to do this with widely prevalent urine dipsticks, with a new disruptive way of creating the more advanced and cheaper active ingredients needed for these tests.
“We have made aptamers, which behave like antibodies in a diagnostic test, but they are cheaper and last longer,” said Professor Janice Limson, director of the Biotechnology Innovation Centre at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. The tests are being done at these laboratories with support from Unicef’s Global Innovation Centre.
Urine dipstick tests have been around for decades and are ripe for disruption, they are demonstrating.
“The business end of the dipstick is the antibody. We are replacing the antibodies with something that is cheaper and lasts longer, which is really important for remote areas,” Limson told me. This is especially helpful for the HIV test, which checks for the number of the key CD4 blood cells which indicate if the treatment plan is being effective or if the HIV strains have mutated to resist the medication. Previously such a test would require blood tests, which can only be performed by nurses and are very expensive.
The malaria tests are significant in that they “can distinguish between two different types of the most common species of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax,” says Limson, who is also the prestigious DST/NRF South African Research Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and Engagement.
Unicef Senior Adviser on Innovation Tanya Accone says these tests are a breakthrough.
“This is a breakthrough approach because these diagnostic tests use completely new biological materials to the existing tests,” she told me. “This means the tests could cost half as much to produce and will be able to be distributed and used by women in remote locations because, unlike existing tests, these biomaterials are not sensitive to temperature and humidity.”
Due to the cost of blood test and difficulty of travelling to a clinic, many people receiving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have to wait for up to a year for their blood to be tested to see if the medication is working.
“The number of living cells in a HIV patient’s blood is a very important metric of overall health,” Dr Ron Fogel from Rhodes Biotechnology Innovation Centre told me. “When people have been on HIV medication for a long time, it starts losing effectiveness because the different strains of HIV in a patient are becoming resistant. The way that you track that is by the CD4 count. As HIV numbers increase, the CD4 starts dropping, so that’s when you know to start a new treatment.”
The new test will be able to give feedback on CD4 count much quicker.
For the pregnancy dipstick, the Rhodes team are able not only to measure the presence of the beta-hCG (b-hCG) hormone which indicates pregnancy, but how much of it. The benefits of this are an early warning system for possible complications, says Limson.
“The same test can be semi-quantitative, it’s not just saying you are pregnant. Because they can monitor b-hCG levels, it can be used as a tool. In normal pregnancy they should increase in first few weeks. The b-hCG levels can be an early indicator or raise a red flag of potential high-risk pregnancies, which can indicate whether the mother needs better or different care, especially with multiples, from twins to triples and quadruplets.”
The three urine dipsticks are currently in the laboratory testing phase, but as Accone says, are already a breakthrough. “This work has game changing implications for emerging markets not only because of potential cost savings, but also the potential to produce these diagnostics domestically instead of importing them,” she says.
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Teacher Janice Limson, Director of the Biotechnology Development Centre at Rhodes University Rhodes University
(*************** )Longer-lasting and more economical methods of screening for pregnancy and whether HIV treatments are working successfully, in addition to looking for the leading 2 pressures of malaria, are being evaluated by researchers at a South African university. These might eventually assist in saving lives in emerging nations, they think.
Checking for malaria and the effectiveness of a HIV treatment have actually generally been extremely tough to do in Africa without a blood test– which are costly and need a skilled nurse and a journey to a frequently far-off center.
However researchers in South Africa are evaluating a method to do this with extensively widespread urine dipsticks, with a brand-new disruptive method of producing the advanced and less expensive active components required for these tests.
” We have actually made aptamers, which act like antibodies in a diagnostic test, however they are less expensive and last longer,” stated Teacher Janice Limson, director of the Biotechnology Development Centre at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. The tests are being done at these labs with assistance from Unicef’s International Development Centre.
Urine dipstick tests have actually been around for years and are ripe for disturbance, they are showing.
” Business end of the dipstick is the antibody. We are changing the antibodies with something that is less expensive and lasts longer, which is truly crucial for remote locations,” Limson informed me. This is specifically valuable for the HIV test, which look for the variety of the crucial CD4 blood cells which suggest if the treatment strategy is working or if the HIV pressures have actually altered to withstand the medication. Formerly such a test would need blood tests, which can just be carried out by nurses and are extremely costly.
(************** ) The malaria tests are substantial because they” can compare 2 various kinds of the most typical types of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax,” states Limson, who is likewise the distinguished DST/NRF South African Research Study Chair in Biotechnology Development and Engagement.
Unicef Elder Consultant on Development Tanya Accone states these tests are an advancement.
” This is an advancement technique due to the fact that these diagnostic tests utilize totally brand-new biological products to the existing tests,” she informed me. “This indicates the tests might cost half as much to produce and will have the ability to be dispersed and utilized by females in remote places due to the fact that, unlike existing tests, these biomaterials are not conscious temperature level and humidity.”
Due to the expense of blood test and problem of taking a trip to a center, many individuals getting antiretroviral (ARV) drugs need to await approximately a year for their blood to be evaluated to see if the medication is working.
” The variety of living cells in a HIV client’s blood is a really crucial metric of total health,” Dr Ron Fogel from Rhodes Biotechnology Development Centre informed me. “When individuals have actually been on HIV medication for a very long time, it begins losing efficiency due to the fact that the various pressures of HIV in a client are ending up being resistant. The manner in which you track that is by the CD4 count. As HIV numbers increase, the CD4 begins dropping, so that’s when you understand to begin a brand-new treatment.”
The brand-new test will have the ability to provide feedback on CD4 count much quicker.
For the pregnancy dipstick, the Rhodes group are able not just to determine the existence of the beta-hCG ( b– hCG) hormonal agent which suggests pregnancy, however just how much of it. The advantages of this are an early caution system for possible problems, states Limson.
” The very same test can be semi-quantitative, it’s not simply stating you are pregnant. Since they can keep track of b– hCG levels, it can be utilized as a tool. In regular pregnancy they must increase in very first couple of weeks. The b-hCG levels can be an early sign or raise a warning of prospective high-risk pregnancies, which can suggest whether the mom requires much better or various care, specifically with multiples, from twins to triples and quadruplets.”
The 3 urine dipsticks are presently in the lab screening stage, however as Accone states, are currently an advancement. “This work has video game altering ramifications for emerging markets not just due to the fact that of prospective expense savings, however likewise the prospective to produce these diagnostics locally rather of importing them,” she states.
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Teacher Janice Limson, Director of the Biotechnology Development Centre at Rhodes University Rhodes University
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Longer-lasting and more economical methods of screening for pregnancy and whether HIV treatments are working successfully, in addition to looking for the leading 2 pressures of malaria, are being evaluated by researchers at a South African university. These might eventually assist in saving lives in emerging nations, they think.
Checking for malaria and the effectiveness of a HIV treatment have actually generally been extremely tough to do in Africa without a blood test– which are costly and need a skilled nurse and a journey to a frequently far-off center.
However researchers in South Africa are evaluating a method to do this with extensively widespread urine dipsticks, with a brand-new disruptive method of producing the advanced and less expensive active components required for these tests.
“We have actually made aptamers, which act like antibodies in a diagnostic test, however they are less expensive and last longer,” stated Teacher Janice Limson, director of the Biotechnology Development Centre at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. The tests are being done at these labs with assistance from Unicef’s International Development Centre.
Urine dipstick tests have actually been around for years and are ripe for disturbance, they are showing.
“Business end of the dipstick is the antibody. We are changing the antibodies with something that is less expensive and lasts longer, which is truly crucial for remote locations,” Limson informed me. This is specifically valuable for the HIV test, which look for the variety of the crucial CD4 blood cells which suggest if the treatment strategy is working or if the HIV pressures have actually altered to withstand the medication. Formerly such a test would need blood tests, which can just be carried out by nurses and are extremely costly.
The malaria tests are substantial because they “can compare 2 various kinds of the most typical types of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax ,” states Limson, who is likewise the distinguished DST/NRF South African Research Study Chair in Biotechnology Development and Engagement.
Unicef Elder Consultant on Development Tanya Accone states these tests are an advancement.
“This is an advancement technique due to the fact that these diagnostic tests utilize totally brand-new biological products to the existing tests,” she informed me. “This indicates the tests might cost half as much to produce and will have the ability to be dispersed and utilized by females in remote places due to the fact that, unlike existing tests, these biomaterials are not conscious temperature level and humidity.”
Due to the expense of blood test and problem of taking a trip to a center, many individuals getting antiretroviral (ARV) drugs need to await approximately a year for their blood to be evaluated to see if the medication is working.
“The variety of living cells in a HIV client’s blood is a really crucial metric of total health,” Dr Ron Fogel from Rhodes Biotechnology Development Centre informed me. “When individuals have actually been on HIV medication for a very long time, it begins losing efficiency due to the fact that the various pressures of HIV in a client are ending up being resistant. The manner in which you track that is by the CD4 count. As HIV numbers increase, the CD4 begins dropping, so that’s when you understand to begin a brand-new treatment.”
The brand-new test will have the ability to provide feedback on CD4 count much quicker.
For the pregnancy dipstick, the Rhodes group are able not just to determine the existence of the beta-hCG ( b – hCG) hormonal agent which suggests pregnancy, however just how much of it. The advantages of this are an early caution system for possible problems, states Limson.
“The very same test can be semi-quantitative, it’s not simply stating you are pregnant. Since they can keep track of b – hCG levels, it can be utilized as a tool. In regular pregnancy they must increase in very first couple of weeks. The b-hCG levels can be an early sign or raise a warning of prospective high-risk pregnancies, which can suggest whether the mom requires much better or various care, specifically with multiples, from twins to triples and quadruplets.”
The 3 urine dipsticks are presently in the lab screening stage, however as Accone states, are currently an advancement. “This work has video game altering ramifications for emerging markets not just due to the fact that of prospective expense savings, however likewise the prospective to produce these diagnostics locally rather of importing them,” she states.
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